The consummate Irish tenor banjo, this is a top of the range banjo from Vega, the Style X No. 9, featuring a tapered fingerboard extension, gorgeous multi-colored marquetry on the rim cap, and 11-1/2" diameter pot. The rim assembly appears all original featuring tortoise binding and Tubaphone tonering, and is nickel plated; neck adjustment hardware is later, with several replaced nuts; equipped with notched tension hoop (slightly out of round) with cutouts for neck and tailpiece, with original four string No Knot. The flamed maple neck has a beautiful heel carving, and wonderful engraved pearl inlay on the 20-1/2" scale ebony fretboard, heel cap, backstrap, and peghead face (engraving is worn in lower positions and could be rechased); long lines of finish checking present on backstrap, with some finish chips on face, and small finish cracks around treble side of backstrap; equipped with original gold-plated, spring-loaded Grover tuners, with large pearl buttons (tension screw on first string replaced); a fine player with throaty tone, there is only light forward bow, and mild pitting on frets. Includes period Vega plectrum case for transport (slightly big)